January 04, 2026

Greetings!
Finally, I have enough tips and tricks from readers on what they have done to save some money to do a full issue.

Keep emailing in your tips, I will continue to collect them and feature them once I have enough.


Kris

Please add kris@gophercentral.com to your address book or visit here.

Tips From Readers...

Beckie from Omaha says: Mixing rice, beans, or even lentils came make pricey meals go further. Lentils with taco seasoning make a tasty, super-cheap taco night! Give it a try, you'll love it!


Charles from Boston says: YouTube has been a lifesaver for me, I've learned to fix nearly every home appliance myself. From the furnace and AC to the dishwasher, oven, washer/dryer, I have tackled them all and saved thousands of dollars in the process.


Sally from Chesterton says: Before buying a new gadget like a slow cooker or air fryer, check your local thrifty store or any garage sales. You can often snag pricey items for just a few bucks. Used sometimes means it was tried once and never used again - I once got a brand new air fryer, still in
the box, for just $5!


Ms. Betsy from Gary says: When our dishwasher is full and ready to be started, I set an alarm on my watch for 9pm. I start the dishwasher when the alarm goes off since the electricity rate goes down after 9pm. (She's right, electricity costs more during 'peak hours', which the power can cost up to 4x as much during
peak times)


Fran from Seattle says: I use one tablespoon of laundry detergent for each load. Not only does this help me stretch what I spend on detergent, but it's actually helps my clothes last longer. I, also, use bar body soap, and a shampoo bar. I find these last longer than the liquid soaps - it outlasts them by months. (Again, Fran is also right! Using too much detergent CAN harm your clothes. Causes colors to fade, fiber buildup, the elastic wears out, etc.)



Got a tip of your own, Handy or Thrifty? Reply back to me, I love reading your
tips and ideas!